Ties That Bind

by Heather Huffman

  “Just don’t get a ticket,” he’d teased her with a wink as he handed her the keys.

  “No promises,” she answered honestly.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I just don’t understand why Jack is acting like this,” Jessica shook her head in frustration. “It’s not like him at all to yell at someone for voicing an opinion.”

  “Don’t worry about it. He was right; I’m not part of the creative team. It wasn’t my discussion,” Kate sipped her tea, hoping she sounded more flippant than pathetic.

  “Don’t act like that,” Liz immediately reprimanded her. “He was being a jerk in that meeting. You are part of our team and Jessica and I like hearing your input. Don’t let him make you feel unimportant.”

  “Not all of us are as put-together as you, Liz,” Kate envied her friend’s self-assurance.

  “Don’t let appearances fool you. I’m a total wreck inside,” Liz told her around a bite of salad.

  “I don’t believe you,” Kate nearly dropped her fork.

  “Total façade,” Liz reiterated.

  “It was so rude of him to say that in front of everyone,” Jessica couldn’t let go of her consternation.

  “I’ll give you that,” Kate winced a little at the memory of all those eyes on her. “But it’s over now. Let’s talk about something else. Oh, I didn’t tell you what happened yesterday. Some girl called Gavin on the car phone. He swears he didn’t give her the number, but I thought that was like the bat phone, so I’m not sure I believe him.”

  “That’s not good—the seeds of distrust,” Liz predicted, eyeing a piece of cake being served at the table next to them.

  “I want to trust him,” Kate frowned. “But she sounded really cute. I would have understood if he’d said he gave her the number before we met. What do you think?”

  “I think he’s crazy about you,” Jessica weighed in on the topic. “I think he’s telling the truth. If some girl was determined enough to meet him, I bet she could find a way to get his number.”

  “You’re probably right,” Kate toyed with her straw.

  “Stop thinking he’d rather be somewhere else,” Liz guessed Kate’s hesitation. “He worked hard to get you. He’s right where he wants to be.”

  “She has a point,” Jessica agreed.

  “Hey, how’d the follow-up with Tom go?” Kate changed the subject again.

  “Nice deflection,” Liz smirked.

  “Really well,” Jessica happily filled them in on the details of the interview. Tom was a good guy; they were all excited to see how the spread on him turned out. The rest of their lunch the topic stayed on the magazine and the launch.

  Aside from the slight creepiness with Justin, who’d taken to showing up at random times uninvited, Kate’s public relations efforts were going really well. There was already a buzz around town about the upcoming party. Somehow Kate managed to get through the rest of her day without crying or calling Gavin for comfort. Although, she had been tempted to crawl under her desk when she realized Liz was in Jack’s office to read him the riot act for his treatment of Kate in the morning meeting.

  “I wish she wouldn’t do that,” Kate considered interrupting the pair to apologize for any inconvenience.

  “Don’t worry about Liz,” Jessica assured her. “Jack’s used to her voicing her opinions rather plaintively.”

  “What’s it like?” Kate asked wistfully.

  “What’s what like?”

  “I don’t know, having that kind of relationship with him? He’s so crazy about you and Liz.”

  “You two will get past this,” Jessica predicted.

  “Sometimes I don’t know. He seems to like me less the more time passes. I think I remind him of ghosts from his past.”

  “You probably do,” Jessica acknowledged. “But he’ll get over it. He’s a better person than this.”

  “Hey ladies,” Tara breezed into their office, her face bright. “What did Jack do to set Liz off?”

  “He was a real jerk to Kate in the morning meeting—in front of everyone.”

  “It was no big deal,” Kate blushed.

  “I was embarrassed, and he wasn’t even talking to me. It was a big deal.”

  “I can make him sleep on the couch tonight if you want,” Tara offered.

  “No,” Kate gasped.

  “Please do,” Jessica grinned at the exact same moment.

  “Oh hey, I just got off the phone with a little birdie who told me tomorrow is Miss Kate’s birthday.”

  Kate gritted her teeth. Could the day get much worse? “How? How did you find that out?”

  “I guess your aunt called Gavin who called me, since he can’t be here to do the honors. So, clear your schedules tomorrow evening. I already called Gaston. We’re thinking Absinthe.”

  “Great,” Kate sighed; so much for turning another year older in peace.

  Kate tried to slink into work the next morning undetected, but her office had been filled with balloons and flowers, apparently the work of Gavin. Kate took the time to run a load of both home on her way to meet her aunt for lunch. Kate had told Joan not to bother driving into town just for that, but Joan had been insistent. Maybe she knew that Kate’s first birthday without her mother would be tough. Maybe she was anxious to build a connection to the sister she missed. Either way, she had been determined to spend part of the afternoon with Kate.

  Truth be told, Kate was glad Joan was there. She did miss her mom, and she missed Gavin, and she really didn’t want to be turning another year older. She was also really happy to be getting away from Jack. Something about her birthday seemed to be making him crankier than normal.

  “So things seem to be going well between you and Gavin,” Joan observed. “He’s a good guy.”

  “Thanks,” Kate smiled slightly. “And yes, things do seem to be going well. Sometimes I still panic a little, but I’m trying not to be too neurotic.”

  “You’re a smart girl, Kate. You’ll be okay.”

  “You know, sometimes, I feel like this is all just a dream. It’ll all go away; he’ll go away,” Kate admitted in a whisper.

  “You have been thrown a few curve balls, haven’t you sweetie?” Joan patted her hand sympathetically.

  “Oh no, I’ve become pathetic, haven’t I?” Kate realized with a start. “I didn’t mean to sound like Eeyore. Let’s talk about something else.”

  Joan had obliged, chatting about anything and nothing in particular. They rounded out their afternoon together with makeovers. Kate grudgingly went back to the office afterwards, determined not to slink around as if she’d done something wrong by being born.

  “More flowers came while you were out,” Jen informed her with a slight eye roll the second she was through the door.

  “I’m so sorry,” Kate needed to speak to Gavin about overkill. She glanced at the card and frowned. The flowers were from Justin. She really was going to have to remind him that their relationship was a professional one. Today was not that day, though. She tossed the card in the trash and set the flowers in the conference room.

  The rest of the day went by in a blur. Her mind had drifted to other birthdays, all the ones she’d celebrated with her mom, while she played Frisbee with Ty at the dog park. She hadn’t been able to dwell long, because Gavin had called to sing Happy Birthday.

  “How’s your day been so far?” He seemed wistful, as if he were sad to be missing it. Kate struggled to understand why being another year older than him was a thing to be celebrated.

  “You mean, other than people making too big a deal out of it? Other than swimming in flowers?” Kate’s tone belied her words. “It’s been okay. Isn’t it the middle of the night in London?”

  “I wanted to catch you before your girl’s night out to remind you not to do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  “Gaston’s going too,” she reminded him.

  “Like I said… have a grand time with the girls.”

  “You really aren’t a nice person when you
’re feeling threatened.”

  “But you love me anyway. What’s that say about you?”

  “Good point,” Kate laughed. “Now go get some sleep.”

  “Yes mum.”

  Kate had let that one go. She’d just tell herself he was referring to her bossy nature, not her age.

  Dinner had been fun. Jessica wasn’t feeling well and went home early. Kate wished she could do the same. Still, she survived the evening and was able to wake up in time for both her yoga routine and to play her violin before work.

  The next several days were a montage of meetings and press lunches that seemed to blend together. The only thing that distinctly stood out for Kate was an unexpected visit from an old friend from Albuquerque. Veronica dropped in from nowhere with her perfect husband in tow, only to disappear again a couple of days later. Playing catch-up was a good distraction, and it gave her an excuse to go out dancing with the girls.

  Other than the brief reprieve of Veronica’s visit, Kate was a whirlwind, putting finishing touches on the launch party and making great strides on the Christmas party. Whatever faults Jack saw in her, he couldn’t complain about the job she was doing for his magazine.

  Maybe a piece of Kate was still trying to please him. A lot of the motive behind her productivity was a desire to stay busy. The busier she stayed, the faster the time without Gavin would go. She missed him beyond reason. When she stopped to acknowledge that, it always gave her a mild panic attack.

  She’d made the mistake of working too late one night and came home to find pieces of violet satin strewn about her apartment.

  “Ty… what did you do?” Kate gasped. He hung his head in shame. Kate knew without checking the closet that her lonely purple shoe was lost forever and that made her incredibly sad. That pump had reminded her of happy days with Gavin, and now it was gone.

  Of course, even visiting her aunt brought memories of Gavin that danced through her mind. Mason had to ask her the same question three times at dinner because she couldn’t look at the veranda without conjuring the image of Gavin holding her in his arms while the rain christened them.

  It was maddening. By the time Kate got in the Audi to drive home, she was practically vibrating with agitation. The engine hummed happily at her touch. A grin tugged at the corners of Kate’s mouth. So what if some bimbo was calling him on his car phone? She was in his car. She was the woman he’d chosen. Power flowed through her. The road ahead beckoned. She hit the accelerator, a thrill racing down her spine as the roadster instantly responded.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kate let out an expletive at the sight of the red and blue lights in her review mirror. Gavin was going to have a field day with this. But the engine had purred like a kitten when she’d accelerated and the sound was almost hypnotizing. Surely he’d understand that.

  “Ma’am,” the officer nodded at her.

  “I’m so sorry officer,” Kate dutifully handed him her license and Gavin’s registration.

  “This isn’t your car,” the officer stated.

  “No, sir, it’s my boyfriend’s car,” Kate’s voice shook just a little. One would think this would get easier with experience.

  “I clocked you going 85 in a 70,” he told her sternly.

  “I’m so sorry, it’s this car,” Kate shrugged apologetically. “I guess it’s a good thing it’s governed at 155, eh?”

  Kate realized it was the wrong thing to say when he asked her to step out of the vehicle. The next series of events was kind of a blur. Somehow Kate found herself sitting in a cell in the Pinole City Jail with Gavin’s car towed to the Costra County impound.

  Kate leaned her head against the bars, wondering how it had come to this. One minute she’d been rolling down the highway in that amazing machine, rag top down and Poison cranking from the speakers… and the rest was history. Kate was fairly certain she was entitled to a phone call. How long could they hold her? She suddenly wished she’d watched more cop shows.

  “Alright, it looks like your story checks out,” an officer who’d brought her in opened the cell and stood to the side. “It’s your boyfriend’s car.”

  Kate very dearly wanted to remind him that she had said that, but remembered the last time she hadn’t filtered her thoughts. Instead she said “thank you,” collected her dog and keys and trudged out the door.

  She turned her phone back on once she was seated back in Gavin’s car. It immediately began chirping at her and she groaned. Ty cocked his head in question.

  “It’s your daddy. Either calling to yell at me or laugh at me,” she explained as the car roared to life. “I’ll answer it when I’m further away from the police station.”

  Kate tried to put off the inevitable, but when she didn’t answer her phone, the phone in the car starting beeping at her.

  “Hello?” She finally answered as innocently as possible.

  “Do I want to know why I just got off the phone with the Costra County sheriff’s office?” The amusement was thick in his voice.

  “Probably not.”

  “I don’t know, I think I do.”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “You can tell me all about it over dinner tonight,” he assured her.

  “Well I’m home now. Let me get inside and I’ll call you back for our dinner date. Although I guess it’s breakfast for you.”

  “No, it’s dinner.”

  “Okay. Call you back.” She hung up the phone and grabbed Ty’s leash. It had been a long day and tomorrow she had to face Jack again. Usually the standing “dinner date” with Gavin was the highlight of her day. Tonight she wasn’t so sure about that.

  Tyler began to prance and whine at her side and she looked down at him with dismay. She had absolutely no desire to walk him at the moment. He’d just have to wait – hadn’t he spent the whole day running free at Blue Valley?

  “You goofy mutt. What is your problem tonight?” She crabbed at him as she fished for her keys.

  “Maybe he’s just excited to see me.” Kate looked up in surprise to find Gavin leaning casually in the now-opened door frame. With a squeal she flew into his arms, knocking him backwards. He wrapped his arms around her, obviously pleased with her response.

  “When did you get in?” She stood on tiptoe to pepper his face with kisses.

  “A couple of hours ago. Are you surprised?”

  “Yes! I wasn’t expecting you for days. When you got the last of the photos to Liz, I was sure you would be back just in time for the party.”

  “I was just throwing you off the trail,” he winked. “So, do you want some dinner? I took the liberty of ordering for us when I heard you were in the slammer.”

  “Oh don’t remind me,” she groaned.

  “So just what did you do?”

  “I was fuming about… Jack…and might, maybe, have been speeding a little…”

  “A little?”

  “Okay, 85 in a 70. And climbing. So anyway, I of course got pulled over. Then I said something really stupid and he decided the car was stolen and…”

  “Whoa, whoa, I have to hear this… What did you say?”

  “Something about the car being governed at 155.” She shrugged.

  “Lovely. I bet he really liked that,” Gavin chuckled.

  “And I have the criminal record to prove it,” Kate grimaced. “So I guess they called you to verify I was your girlfriend?”

  “And I said ‘Kate who?’” He teased.

  “Not funny. That guy would have loved to book me for something. You would have been reduced to conjugal visits in a trailer.” Kate shuddered.

  “Not a pretty picture at all,” he agreed. It was silent for a moment while he served her a slice of pizza, then his laughter was reverberating off her 14-foot ceilings. “You don’t do things halfway, do you Katie?”

  “This is all Jack’s fault, really.” Kate sniffed indignantly. “I just get so mad at him I can’t even see straight. You know, I think he’s just waiting for me to mess up so he ca
n fire me no matter what Tara wants. Too bad for him I have no intentions of messing this up. Well, assuming the whole Justin thing doesn’t blow up in my face.”

  “Poor sap. He can’t seem to figure out that you are most definitely taken.” Gavin’s expression hinted that maybe he felt less pity for Justin than his words implied. “And Jack’s not going to fire you.”

  “You haven’t been around these past two weeks. It’s been pretty bad. If he’s not yelling at me, he’s pretending I don’t exist. Anything he needs to tell me, he has Jen say. It’s embarrassing. The whole office is talking.”

  “Let them talk. Jack’s the one who should be embarrassed, not you.”

  “I didn’t tell him I was his daughter. It’s a little weird.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. And you don’t have to be perfect to earn his affection. Either he’ll come around and love you just exactly the way you are like the rest of us do, or he’s an idiot.”

  “I missed you,” Kate impulsively hugged him.

  “I missed you, too… my little jailbird.”

  Gavin left much earlier than Kate would have preferred. Still, she understood that he was tired. She’d had a pretty long day herself. Kate went to bed feeling relieved that she’d have Gavin at her side tomorrow when she had to face Jack again. She’d no sooner turned out the light when her cell phone rang.

  “Hello?” Kate answered.

  “Kate? I hope I’m not calling too late,” Jessica’s voice was filled with an enthusiasm that made Kate sit up in bed.

  “Not at all. What’s up?”

  “I couldn’t wait until morning to tell you… I’m pregnant. Four weeks. We just found out tonight.”

  “Oh my gosh, that’s wonderful!” Kate couldn’t believe her ears. She knew Jessica and Ryan wanted children, but it had been a distant possibility—a someday kind of thing.

  “I’ve only told you and Liz. I think I’m going to wait to tell everyone else. Oh, you can tell Gavin when he calls, of course.”